Thursday, August 24, 2017

I had wanted to get a portable design wall to take to retreats but did not want to pay the price. Looked at various pins on pinterest and took ideas from more than one to come up with my verison.

It worked out great and only cost a fraction of the price.

The PVC pipes, joints and 2 yards of felt cost under $22.00

My design wall is 4' x 4' which stands approximately 5 1/5' tall. For this size need 2 - 10ft length of 3/4" PVC pipe for the frame and 4ft of 1" PVC pipe for the feet

Cut the 3/4" PVC into 4 - 4' section

2 - 1' section

Cut the 1" PVC into 4 - 1' section

The joints you'll need will be

2 - 3/4" elbows

2 - 3/4" T's

2 - 3/4" to 1" T (this will be the base of the Feet)

4 - 1" elbow

Also need pipe cutters (this cost me almost as much as the materials)

Here is the layout for the frame.

No glue was used so I can take apart and assemble when needed.

This is the feet for the stand. The T is 3/4" at the top to except the frame pipe and the two sides hole are 1". Went with 1" because I wanted more stability.

Add the elbows

For the fabric you can use what you have.

I purchase felt from walmart but you could use a flannel sheet or flannel. Do not think batting would work because you'll be stretching the fabric.

Now I sewn mine to fit the frame Did this by cutting out a notch in each corner and folded the fabric over to make a tube for the pipe.

I did see on pinterest that some would use large clips to attach the fabric or the backside of a vinyl table.I couldn't show this because I had only one large clip.

Once I had the felt surface on the pipes I added the legs and feet.

But you don't always have to use the legs, you can prop it up against the wall.

Of course you need to have a bag to keep the parts in.I made one by cutting out a rectangle 8" longer than the longest piece and 22" wide.Sew up one end and up the side.Then make a casing and add a draw string.Well now you can have one to take and go.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

It has been a stressful week in a few ways. Not just what happenings here in the States and in Spain.

My mom was admitted into the hospital for a couple days. She was able to go home this afternoon and will need to still do a little recovering.

Then it has been raining a little pretty much each day so far this week, we have received 3 inches this week. That is what we normally get in the whole month of August, we can add what we had the part of the month.

But I loved the change.

Was able to finish putting on the border to "Let it Snow Again"Finished out to be 67" x 67"

I did go with a thin 1" border of some leftover fabric that was used in the strip sets, with a 6 1/2" border.

Such beautiful fabric, made a pretty quilt top.

Hadn't done any more on Dreamy Hexagon because I had left it at my mom's went I took her to the ER Tuesday morning. I'll pick it when I go over there tomorrow.

So I started on the Christmas Trip Around The World I had prepped for the retreat and never did get to it.

I had been wanting to do this pattern for years and it has been fun so far.

On the loom is the cotton for the washcloths. So far I have woven 2 cloths and started a 3rd all on the same warp thread.Here is a picture of the pick up stick behind the heddle. Which is the first time I will be weaving using this technique.Not as hard as I imagined.

Think I can get one more completed before I run out of the warp thread.I had to assemble a block of the "leader and enders" I had been working for the past year.Really like this pattern, think part of the reason is the 3" nine patch, making the squares 1"

Monday, August 14, 2017

First of all is the "Let it Snow Again" top and the border fabric came today. At first I thought it looked a little off in color but it is from the same fabric collection, Cold Spell by Moda. And batiks can vary slightly I know but the more I looked I believe it will work.

I had also thought about putting a small border before the larger border. Haven't yet determined if it is needed.

Was going to work on that but was asked to go over to my parents this afternoon.

Last night I was able to finish two more hexagon circle and pinned them up on the wall. Haven't yet stitch them to the background. I'll wait until I have all seven done.

Oh ya there are 3 sashing pieces ready to applique. Need 12 together so have a bit to do still.